Vascular remote catheter manipulator

ABSTRACT

A robotic instrument driver for elongate members includes a first elongate member, and at least one manipulator mechanism configured to manipulate the first elongate member, and at least one articulating drive configured to articulate the first elongate member, positionable on a bed and beside a patient access site. The manipulator and articulating drive are positioned relative to each other a distance less than the insertable length of the first elongate member, stationary in position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/839,967, filed Mar. 15, 2013 and entitled “VASCULAR REMOTE CATHETERMANIPULATOR.” The entirety of which is herein incorporated by referencefor all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Robotic interventional systems and devices are well suited forperforming minimally invasive medical procedures as opposed toconventional techniques wherein the patient's body cavity is open topermit the surgeon's hands access to internal organs. Advances intechnology have led to significant changes in the field of medicalsurgery such that less invasive surgical procedures, in particular,minimally invasive surgery (MIS), are increasingly popular.

MIS is generally defined as surgery that is performed by entering thebody through the skin, a body cavity, or an anatomical opening utilizingsmall incisions rather than large, open incisions in the body. With MIS,it is possible to achieve less operative trauma for the patient, reducedhospitalization time, less pain and scarring, reduced incidence ofcomplications related to surgical trauma, lower costs, and a speedierrecovery.

MIS devices and techniques have advanced to the point where an elongatedcatheter instrument is controllable by selectively operating tensioningcontrol elements within the catheter instrument. In one example, aremote catheter manipulator (RCM) or robotic instrument driver utilizesfour opposing directional control elements which extend to the distalend of the catheter. When selectively placed in and out of tension, theopposing directional control elements may cause the distal end tosteerably maneuver within the patient. Control motors are coupled toeach of the directional control elements so that they may beindividually controlled and the steering effectuated via the operationof the motors in unison.

At least two types of catheters may be employed for surgical procedures.One type includes an electrophysiology (EP) catheter that only requiresa navigating distance of 15 cm or less. EP catheters also may berelatively thick and stiff and thus, due their short navigating lengthand high stiffness, EP catheters typically do not suffer from a tendencyto buckle during use.

In comparison to EP procedures, vascular procedures include a greateramount of catheter insertion length, a greater number of catheterarticulation degrees of freedom (DOFs), and a mechanism for manipulationof a guide wire. For that reason, known bedside systems providesmounting for splayer actuation hardware configured to provide thecatheter insertion lengths, mounting which accounts for an increase insplayer size due to added DOFs, and mounting for a guide wiremanipulator. Thus, vascular catheters typically include a relativelylong stroke, such as one meter or more. Relative to EP catheters,vascular catheters are typically smaller, thinner and more flexible, andtherefore have a greater tendency to buckle than EP catheters. As such,it is typically desirable to feed vascular catheters into the patientwith minimal bending to reduce the tendency to buckle. Known vascularrobotic catheter systems are therefore typically suspended over thepatient that is lying prone on a bed.

A vascular catheter (elongate member) catheter system typically includeselongate members that include an outer catheter (sheath), an innercatheter (leader), and a guidewire. Each is separately controllable andtherefore they can telescope with respect to one another. For instance,a sheath carriage controls operation of the sheath and is moveable abouta generally axial motion along the patient, and a leader carriagecontrols operation of the guidewire and is likewise moveable about thegenerally axial direction of the patient. Typically, the leader carriageand the sheath carriage are positioned on a remote catheter manipulator(RCM), which is supported by a setup joint (SUJ). Because the sheathcarriage and leader carriage are traditionally aligned along theinsertion axis, this configuration results in the RCM taking upsignificant space and the RCM being restricted to a specific orientationand alignment based on the insertion location. The SUJ is typicallypositioned on a rail that is itself mounted to the bed, below which thepatient is positioned.

The RCM typically carries the weight of both carriages as well as theother hardware that are used to operate the system. And, to provide afull stroke, the SUJ is passed through the full range of motion which,as stated, can exceed one meter. To do so, typically the SUJ is moved orrotated with respect to the rail and the rail is stationary. For thisreason, a bedside system is typically included that provides mountingfor splayer actuation hardware configured to provide catheter insertionlengths, and mounting for a guide wire manipulator. Because thishardware is supported by the SUJ, the system can not only be cumbersometo work with, but it can interfere with other system operation (such asthe C-arm and monitors), as well as provide significant weight that iscarried by the bed.

However, in some clinical situations, it is difficult, if not impossibleto orient the RCM such that it is aligned along the insertion axis. Forinstance, in some MIS procedures an imaging device may be required inaddition to the RCM. In order for the imaging device to scan the entirebody, the RCM should be oriented so that it is not obstructing theimaging devices ability to capture the entire body. For example, if theinsertion location is at the patient's thigh and catheter is directedtowards the patient's heart, the current RCM configuration would requirethe RCM to be located at the base of the patient's bed below their feet.The likelihood of the catheter buckling between the RCM and theinsertion location also increases as the distance between the RCM andthe insertion location increases and often requires more than one personto assist in operation of the RCM, especially during tool exchanges.

As such, there is a need for an improved catheter system that can handlefunctional challenges experienced with long catheters and providesgreater flexibility with regard to the orientation of the RCM withregard to the insertion axis. There is also a need to for an improvedcatheter system that operates over a smaller footprint and weighs less.

SUMMARY

A medical device comprising a sheath catheter and at least one feedmechanism is disclosed herein. The feed mechanism includes a pair ofradially arranged drive wheels opposite one another, each wheel having awheel rotation axis. The drive wheels cooperate to define a feed axisalong which the sheath catheter is advanced and retracted. The feed axisis oriented generally orthogonal to the wheel rotation axes. The feedaxis is configured to change the orientation of the sheath catheter whenthe sheath catheter is disposed within the feed mechanism.

An alternative configuration for a medical apparatus comprises a roboticinstrument driver, a sheath splayer and a guide splayer. The sheathsplayer and guide splayer are operatively engaged with the roboticinstrument driver. The sheath splayer carries the catheter sheath, andthe guide splayer carries the sheath catheter. The sheath splayer isdefined by a catheter sheath operational axis and the guide splayer isdefined by a guide catheter operational axis, wherein the sheathoperational axis and guide catheter operational axis are orientedparallel to one another and laterally spaced apart from one another.First and second feed mechanisms are also provided. The first feedmechanism is positioned between the sheath splayer and the guide splayerand configured to orient the guide catheter about 180° from the guidecatheter operational axis so as to be coaxial with the catheter sheathoperational axis. The second feed mechanism is positioned distally ofthe sheath splayer and is configured to orient the sheath catheter about180° from the catheter sheath operational axis so as to be coaxial witha feed axis that is oriented parallel to the catheter sheath operationalaxis.

A further alternative configuration of a medical device comprises arobotic instrument driver, a sheath splayer and a guide splayer. Thesheath splayer and guide splayer are operatively engaged with therobotic instrument driver. The sheath splayer carries the sheathcatheter, and the guide splayer carries the guide catheter. The guidesplayer is positioned over the sheath splayer in a stacked relationship.The sheath catheter is defined by a sheath catheter operational axis andthe guide splayer is defined by a guide catheter operational axis andthe sheath operational axis and guide operational axis are orientedparallel to one another and spaced apart from one another. First andsecond feed mechanisms are also provided. The first feed mechanism ispositioned between an entrance of the sheath splayer and an exit of theguide splayer and configured to orient the guide catheter about 180°from the guide catheter operational axis so as to be coaxial with thecatheter sheath operational axis. The second feed mechanism ispositioned distally of the sheath splayer and is configured to orientthe sheath catheter about 180° from the catheter sheath operational axisso as to be coaxial with a feed axis that is oriented parallel to thecatheter sheath operational axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the claims are not limited to a specific illustration, anappreciation of the various aspects is best gained through a discussionof various examples thereof. Referring now to the drawings, exemplaryillustrations are shown in detail. Although the drawings represent theillustrations, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certainfeatures may be exaggerated to better illustrate and explain aninnovative aspect of an example. Further, the exemplary illustrationsdescribed herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limitingor restricted to the precise form and configuration shown in thedrawings and disclosed in the following detailed description. Exemplaryillustrations are described in detail by referring to the drawings asfollows:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary robotic surgical system.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exemplary catheter assembly of thesurgical system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a roboticallycontrolled medical apparatus.

FIG. 4A illustrates a schematic plan view of a robotically controlledmedical apparatus having a selectively positionable feed mechanism.

FIG. 4B is a partial elevational view of a distal end of the roboticallycontrolled medical apparatus of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic plan view of an alternative configurationfor a robotically controlled medical apparatus having operational axesof catheter splayers and guide splayers oriented parallel to oneanother.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic plan view of an alternative configurationfor a robotically controlled medical apparatus of FIG. 5, wherein thecatheter splayer and guide splayer are configured as a combined unit.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an alternativeconfiguration for an exemplary robotically controlled medical apparatusincluding a guide splayer and sheath splayer assembled together in astacked relationship.

FIG. 8A-8C illustrates an exemplary process for removing a tool from therobotically controlled medical apparatus of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a robotic surgical system 100 is illustrated inwhich an apparatus, a system, and/or method may be implemented accordingto various exemplary illustrations. System 100 may include a roboticcatheter assembly 102 having a sheath instrument 104 and/or a catheterinstrument 106. Catheter assembly 102 is controllable using a roboticinstrument driver 108 (generally referred to as “instrument driver”).During use, a patient is positioned on an operating table or surgicalbed 110 to which robotic instrument driver 108 is coupled or mounted. Inthe illustrated example, system 100 includes an operator workstation112, an electronics rack 114 including a control system, such as acomputer (not shown). In some instances, a setup joint mounting brace116 may be used to support the robotic catheter assembly 102. In certainprocedures, a surgeon is seated at operator workstation 112 and canmonitor the surgical procedure, patient vitals, and control one or morecatheter devices.

Operator workstation 112 may include a computer monitor to display athree dimensional object, such as a catheter displayed within orrelative to a three dimensional space, such as a body cavity or organ,e.g., a chamber of a patient's heart. In one example, an operator usesone or more input devices 120 to control the position of a catheter orother elongate instrument. In response to actuation of the input deviceby a user, the input device can output positioning information for thedesired position of the catheter instrument, including thethree-dimensional spatial position of the distal end of a steerablecatheter. System components, including the operator workstation,electronics rack and the instrument driver, may be coupled together viaa plurality of cables or other suitable connectors 118 to provide fordata communication, or one or more components may be equipped withwireless communication components to reduce or eliminate cables 118.Communication between components may also be implemented over a networkor over the internet. In this manner, a surgeon or other operator maycontrol a surgical instrument while located away from or remotely fromradiation sources. Because of the option for wireless or networkedoperation, the surgeon may even be located remotely from the patient ina different room or building.

An exemplary instrument driver 108 is illustrated in FIG. 2. Theinstrument driver 108 may robotically insert/retract a leader catheter103 relative to a sheath catheter 105. To this end, the proximal ends ofsheath catheter 105 and leader catheter 103 are mechanically interfacedto a housing of the instrument driver 108 in such a manner that thesheath and leader catheters 105, 103 may be axially translated relativeto each other via operation of motors, thereby effecting insertion orretraction movements of the respective sheath catheter 105 and leadercatheter 103. In the illustrated embodiment, the sheath catheter 105 andleader catheter 103 respectively include proximal steering adapters 104,106 (“splayers”) mounted to associated mounting plates 202, 204 on a topportion of the instrument driver 108. The mounting plate 202 is affixedto the distal end of the instrument driver 108, whereas the mountingplate 204 is affixed to a carriage (not shown) within the housing of theinstrument driver 108 that can be translated relative to the mountingplate 202 via one or more motors (not shown) within the housing of theinstrument driver 1, thereby allowing the splayer 106 to be translatedrelative to the splayer 104, and thus, the associated leader catheter103 to be inserted/retracted within the sheath catheter 105. In theillustrated embodiment, each of the splayers 104, 106 can be actuatedvia motors (not shown) within the housing of the instrument driver 108to deflect or articulate the distal ends of the respective catheters103, 104 in any direction.

It is desirable to have the instrument driver 108 positioned close tothe patient for a number of reasons, including, for example tofacilitate tool removal over the table 110 rather than risk toolsfalling to the floor. However, the instrument drivers 108 are generallyheavy, due to the internal components required to advance and articulatethe catheters. Moreover, for procedures where a relatively long strokeof a catheter is used, the instrument driver 108 has a sufficient lengthto operate the catheter system. Thus, known systems use a setup joint116 to support the instrument driver 108 close to the patient. Thepositioning of the instrument driver 108 on the setup joint, however,may lead to other issues, such as blocking intra-operative imagingequipment, such as a C-arm or monitor (not shown).

Further, certain issues are experienced when tool exchanges are requiredduring a procedure. For example, therapeutic tools are inserted into thesheath catheter 105. To accomplish this task, the guide catheter 103 isremoved from the sheath catheter 105. A separate guide wire (not shown)is also included, but the tool is advanced over the guide wire fordelivery, which takes two people.

To address some of these issues, alternative arrangements of the guideand sheath splayers are proposed herein, which serve to minimize thelength and weight of the instrument driver, thereby eliminating therequirement of a SUJ, and even permitting the instrument driver to bemounted directly to a bed rail. Moreover, the exemplary arrangementsdisclosed herein also provide for positioning of the instrument driverclose to the patient, thus permitting the instrument driver to bepositioned adjacent an introducer.

Referring to FIG. 3, a first exemplary configuration will be described.FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic plan view of an exemplary configurationof an instrument driver 308. A guide splayer 306 and a sheath splayer304 are operatively mounted to the instrument drive 308. Guide splayer306 is mounted on a carriage 313 that can translate relative to sheathsplayer 304. Operatively connected to the guide splayer 306 is a guidecatheter 303, and operatively connected to the sheath splayer 304 is asheath catheter 305. The carriage 313 inserts the guide catheter 303into the sheath catheter 305. A guide wire 307 may extend proximally ofthe guide splayer 306 and further include a guide wire manipulator 309.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, sheath splayer 304 and guidesplayer 306 are arranged to be generally aligned along a common axisA-A. In this manner, the guide catheter 303 is positioned within thesheath catheter 305, such that the guide catheter 303 and the sheathcatheter 305 are arranged in a coaxial manner. Although splayers 304 and306 are axially aligned, movement of guide catheter 303 and cathetersheath 305 can be controlled and manipulated independently, as will beexplained in further detail below. The instrument driver 308 articulatesguide and sheath splayer driveshafts by motors positioned in the rear ofthe instrument driver 308.

In the exemplary arrangement illustrated in FIG. 3, as the sheathcatheter 305 exits the sheath splayer 304, the sheath catheter 305 ispositioned within a manipulator or feed mechanism 330. This manipulator330 may be configured to advance, retract or roll sheath catheter 305.It may also be configured to orientate the sheath catheter 305 such thatit bends 180 into the feed mechanism 330. More specifically, themechanism 330 is oriented such that an axis B-B extending through themechanism 330 is generally parallel with the axis A-A along which thesheath and guide splayers 304, 306 are arranged. The sheath catheter 305exits the mechanism 330 and can be directed into an introducer 335. Thisconfiguration permits a compact design, which can reduce the requiredlength of the instrument driver 308, and also allow for easy draping ofthe surgical system. Surgical draping is in reference to the use of acurtain, bag, cloth or other acceptable sterile items that may beutilized to separate a sterile area from an unsterile area. It isadvantageous to be able to place a surgical drape over items that aredifficult to clean or items that need to be in the sterile field but arenot sterile. By placing a surgical drape over these items, these itemsare prevented from coming into contact with sterile items. For example,the instrument driver 308 contains delicate and sensitive parts, so byplacing a surgical drape over the instrument driver 308, it will notcome into contact with blood or other contaminating materials and maynot require cleaning.

In one embodiment, the manipulator mechanism 330 includes two radiallyoppositely arranged drive wheels 340. The drive wheels 340 may includean idle wheel 342 and an active wheel 344. The drive wheels 340 are eachconfigured to rotate about an axes C-C that are orthogonal to the feedmechanism axis B-B. In one exemplary arrangement, the feed mechanism 330may be fixedly connected to the instrument driver 308, along a sidesurface of the instrument driver 308. This configuration permits thefeed mechanism to be placed next to the axis A-A so as to minimizewasted catheter length. As the drive wheels 340 are rotated in a firstdirection, the feed mechanism 330 serves to propel the sheath catheter305, the guide catheter 303 inserted therein, and the guide wire 307toward the patient. As the drive wheels 340 are rotated in a seconddirection, the catheter assembly is moved away from the patient. Asimilar manipulator mechanism (not shown) disposed within the instrumentdriver 308 proximal of the sheath splayer 304 serves to propel guidecatheter 303. This manipulation may also involve insertion retraction orroll of the guide catheter relative to the sheath. In addition, asimilar manipulator mechanism (not shown) disposed within the instrumentdriver 308 proximal of the leader splayer 306, or disposed proximal ofinstrument driver 308 (as shown) serves to propel the guide wire 307. Itshould be understood that sheath catheter 305, guide catheter 303 andguide wire 307 may all be manipulated independently from each other.Manipulation may involve insertion, retraction and roll for all 3manipulators but preferred embodiments involve just insertion andretract for the sheath and guide manipulators and insertion, retractionand roll for the guidewire manipulator. It should be understood thatwhile drive wheels are shown for the sheath manipulator 330 and agripping pad 309 is shown for the guidewire manipulator, any activedrive or manipulation device such as rotating pads, grippers, rollers,chucks etc. may be used in all cases

In one alternative embodiment, the manipulator 330 may be configured topitch with respect to the drive wheels axes C-C, while the sheathsplayer 304 and guide splayer 306 remain generally level with respect tothe table 110. With this configuration, the opposing drive wheels 340may be configured to selectively adjust an insertion angle of thecatheter assembly as the catheter sheath 305 passes through themanipulator 340.

An alternative configuration of an instrument driver 408 is illustratedin FIG. 4A. Instrument driver 408 is substantially similar to theinstrument driver 308 of FIG. 3 and may include corresponding featuresidentified with reference numerals in the 400 series. More specifically,the instrument driver 408 includes a guide splayer 406 and a sheathsplayer 404 operatively connected thereto. A guide catheter 403 isconnected to the guide splayer 406 and the catheter sheath 405 isoperatively connected to the sheath splayer 404. The guide splayer 406is installed on a slidable carriage 413 that translates relative tosheath splayer 404. A guide catheter manipulator (not shown) is placedproximal to the sheath splayer to manipulate the guide catheter A guidewire 407 may extend proximally from the guide splayer 406 and furtherinclude a guide wire manipulator 409.

In the exemplary arrangement illustrated in FIG. 4A, as the sheathcatheter 405 exits the sheath splayer 404, the sheath catheter 405 ispositioned within a manipulator 430. However, in this embodiment, themanipulator 430 is connected to the instrument driver 408 such that themanipulator 430 may be selectively rotated about axis A-A along an arc.In one exemplary arrangement, the feed mechanism 430 may be mounted to ashaft 433 that is secured to a wheel 437 (shown in FIG. 4B) mounted forrotation about an axis D-D. With this configuration, feed mechanism 430may be selectively repositioned from one side of the instrument driver408 to the other, as illustrated by feed mechanism 440 displayed inphantom in FIG. 4A. The selective positioning of feed mechanism 440allows for repositioning of the instrument driver 408 during a procedureto clear the surgical site so as to allow for fluoroscopy imaging. Theselective positioning of feed mechanism 440 also allows for selectiveplacement of the instrument driver 408 on either side of patient.

In another exemplary arrangement, sheath splayer 404 may rotate about anaxis D-D to minimize wasted length on the sheath catheter. For example,as sheath 405 is inserted into the patient, via manipulator 409, thesheath splayer 404 may be configured to rotate toward the manipulator tominimize the length of catheter outside of the patient.

In one exemplary arrangement, the manipulator 430 may be configured topitch with respect to an axis E-E that extends through the shaft 433,while the sheath splayer 404 and guide splayer 406 remain generallylevel with respect to the table 110. With this configuration, theopposing drive wheels 440 may be configured to selectively adjust aninsertion angle of the catheter assembly as the catheter sheath 405passes through the mechanism 440.

An alternative configuration of an instrument driver 508 is illustratedin FIG. 5. Instrument driver 508 has similar elements to the instrumentdriver 408 of FIG. 4 and may include corresponding features identifiedwith reference numerals in the 500 series. More specifically, theinstrument driver 508 includes guide splayer 506 and a sheath splayer504 operatively connected thereto. A guide catheter 503 is connected tothe guide splayer 506 and the catheter sheath 505 is operativelyconnected to the sheath splayer 504. A guide wire 507 may extendproximally of the guide splayer 506 and further include a guide wiremanipulator 560.

The configuration of the instrument driver 508 in FIG. 5 differs fromthe arrangements shown in FIGS. 3-4 in that the guide splayer 506 andthe sheath splayer 504 are arranged parallel to one another, as opposedto in-line with one another. In addition, the guide splayer 506 does nottranslate relative to sheath splayer 504. The guide catheter 503 bends180° and feeds into the sheath splayer 504 by a guide manipulatormechanism 550 that is disposed at the entrance of the sheath splayer504. The sheath catheter 505 also bends 180°, but in the oppositedirection than the guide catheter 503, such that the catheter assemblyis arranged in a general “S-shape”. The sheath catheter 505 feeds intoan introducer 535 by a sheath manipulator mechanism 540.

The guide feed mechanism 550 is configured to orient the guide catheter503 such that it bends 180° into the guide mechanism 550. Morespecifically, the mechanism 550 is oriented such that an axis extendingthrough the guide mechanism 550 is generally coaxial with an axis A′-A′along which the sheath splayer 504 is positioned. The sheath mechanism540 is configured to orient the sheath catheter 505 such that it bends180° into the sheath mechanism 540. More specifically, the sheathmechanism 540 is oriented such that an axis B-B extending through thesheath mechanism 540 is generally parallel to the axis A′-A′ along whichthe sheath splayer 504 is positioned at the start of a procedure. Thesheath splayer 504 may be configured to rotate towards manipulator 540as the sheath 505 is inserted through introducer 535 and the availablesheath length outside the patient gets shorter.

A guidewire manipulator mechanism 560 is positioned adjacent an entranceto the guide splayer 506. The guidewire mechanism 560 is oriented suchthat an axis extending through the guide feed mechanism 560 is generallycoaxial with an axis A2-A2 along which the guide splayer 506 ispositioned. The guidewire manipulator 560 may also be configured toinsert, retract and roll a guidewire. It should be understood that thefeed roller embodiment of the guidewire manipulator 560 shown here andthe gripper embodiment 409 shown above are representative embodiments ofactive drive manipulators. Any of these manipulation mechanisms may beused in any of the configurations.

The orientation of the sheath and guide splayers 504, 506 eliminates alinear insertion axis of the catheter sheath 505 and guide catheter 503,thereby reducing the size of the instrument driver 508. Reducing thesize of the instrument driver 508 lends itself to a simple surgicaldrape of the catheter system.

The configuration of a catheter system with three different manipulatormechanisms 540, 550, 560 also allows the guide wire 507, guide catheter503 and/or the sheath catheter 505 to be propelled or held in placeindividually. More specifically, the sheath mechanism 540 may beconfigured to insert, retract or roll the sheath catheter 505. The guidemechanism 550 inserts, retracts or rolls the guide catheter 503 and theguide wire mechanism 560 inserts, retracts or rolls guidewire 507. Thus,the combination of the three feed mechanisms 540, 550, and 560 allowsthe guide wire 507, sheath catheter 505, and/or guide catheter 503 (asshown in FIG. 5) to be propelled or held in place individually, alteringthe shape of the catheter system relative to a tip of the guide wire507.

In such fashion and in one example, a robotic instrument driver forelongate members 508 includes a first elongate member 505, and at leastone manipulator mechanism 540 configured to manipulate the firstelongate member 505, and at least one articulating drive 504 configuredto articulate the first elongate member 505, positionable on a bed 110and beside a patient access site, wherein the manipulator 540 andarticulating drive 504 are positioned relative to each other a distanceless than the insertable length of the first elongate member, stationaryin position. That is, a distance between manipulator 540 (andparticularly between wheels 542, 544) and articulating drive 504 is lessthan a length of the first elongate member 505 that passes betweenthem—i.e., the insertable length.

In one exemplary configuration, the sheath mechanism 540 may beconfigured to pitch with respect to an axis B-B that is generallytransverse to the feed axis B-B, while the sheath splayer 504 and guidesplayer 506 remain generally level with respect to the table 110. Withthis configuration, opposing drive wheels 542, 544 may be configured toselectively adjust an insertion angle of the catheter assembly as thecatheter sheath 505 passes through the catheter feed mechanism 540.

The configuration in FIG. 5 also provides for ease of tool exchangeduring an intra-operative procedure. In fact, tool exchange can beperformed by a single individual with the configuration set forth inFIG. 5, allowing for improved workflow. The tool exchange operation willbe explained in further detail below.

Referring to FIG. 6, another alternative configuration for an exemplaryinstrument driver 608 is illustrated. Instrument driver 608 issubstantially similar to the instrument driver 508 of FIG. 5 and mayinclude corresponding features identified with reference numerals in the600 series. However, the instrument driver 608 includes a combinedsheath splayer 604/guide splayer 606, which are oriented in a parallelmanner creating an S-shape catheter configuration similar to that whichis shown and discussed above in connection with FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 7, a further exemplary arrangement of for aninstrument driver 708 will now be described. Instrument driver 708 issimilar to the configuration of instrument driver 608 of FIG. 6 and mayinclude corresponding features identified with reference numerals in the700 series. The instrument driver 708 has the guide splayer 706 andsheath splayer 704 stacked on top of one another. Stacking the guidesplayer 706 on top of the sheath splayer 704 may further reduce the sizeof the instrument driver 708 as compared to other configurations. Theguider catheter 703, as it exits the guide splayer 706, bendsapproximately 180° to where it is received by the sheath manipulatormechanism 750 and directed into the sheath splayer 704, orienting theguide catheter 703 in a generally vertical C-shape guide. The cathetersheath 705 exits the sheath splayer 704 and bends approximately 180° towhere it is received by the sheath mechanism 740, orienting the cathetersheath 705 in a generally horizontal C-shape.

Referring to FIG. 8A-8C, an exemplary process for removing guide 503 orany other tool robotically or manually from the sheath catheter 505 willnow be explained. For ease of description, the configuration of theinstrument driver 508 will be used to explain the tool exchange process.FIGS. 8A-C illustrate the instrument driver 508 including guide or tool503 connected to the guide splayer 506, sheath splayer 504, cathetermanipulator mechanism 540 and tool (guide) manipulator mechanism 550arranged so as to configure the catheter system in a generally S-shapeconfiguration. To remove the guide or tool 503, the tool 503 and theguide wire 507 are both pulled in unison in direction R. In other words,the guide wire is inserted into the tool or guide at the same rate asthe tool or guide is retracted from the sheath. This action will causethe guide wire 507 to be pulled through the guide splayer 506, asindicated by the phantom lines. This results in maintaining the tip ofthe guidewire in a fixed position relative to the sheath or relative tothe patient. Once the guide catheter 503 is free from the sheath splayer504, clamping or pinching 810 of the tool (guide) feed mechanism 550 maybe applied to the wire 507 at the rear of the sheath splayer 504 to holdthe tip of the wire 507 at the distal end thereof (located in theintroducer 535 and thus not visible). The guide or tool may then be slidalong the guide wire 507, until the guide or tool 503 is free from theguide wire 507, thereby removing the guide or tool 503 from theinstrument driver 508. Once the guide or tool 503 is removed from theguide wire 507, a new tool may be installed over the guide wire 507. Asimilar but opposite sequence of moves enables the new tool to be loadedrobotically into the sheath 505. This time, the guidewire 507 isretracted through manipulator 560 at the same rate as the new tool isinserted through manipulator 550 resulting in the distal tip of the wirenot moving relative to the patient. The ability to change tools mayallow the user to perform multiple procedures without having to removethe catheter sheath 505 from the patient between procedures. Forexample, a patient may require multiple therapeutic devices to bedelivered at the same location. The ability to maintain the tip of theguide wire 507 at a deployed location in the body after a first tool isdelivered allows the user to switch the tool 503 and insert the secondtherapeutic device without removing the entire catheter. Using a roboticsystem to exchange tools enable the tool exchange procedure to becarried out without image guidance such as fluoroscopy. With a manualprocedure, the doctor would need to retract the guide with one hand atthe same rate as he is inserting the wire with the other hand to ensurethe wire tip stays in a fixed position. It is not possible for a humanto coordinate movement of both hands reliably with long catheters and sofluoroscopic guidance is used to ensure the wire is not moving.Fluoroscopic imaging exposes doctors and staff to significant radiation.A robotic system with active drive manipulators as described hereaddresses this issue

With regard to the processes, systems, methods, heuristics, etc.described herein, it should be understood that, although the steps ofsuch processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to acertain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with thedescribed steps performed in an order other than the order describedherein. It further should be understood that certain steps could beperformed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or thatcertain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, thedescriptions of processes herein are provided for the purpose ofillustrating certain embodiments, and should in no way be construed soas to limit the claims.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description isintended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments andapplications other than the examples provided would be apparent uponreading the above description. The scope should be determined, not withreference to the above description, but should instead be determinedwith reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated andintended that future developments will occur in the technologiesdiscussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will beincorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should beunderstood that the application is capable of modification andvariation.

All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their broadestreasonable constructions and their ordinary meanings as understood bythose knowledgeable in the technologies described herein unless anexplicit indication to the contrary in made herein. In particular, useof the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc. should be readto recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recitesan explicit limitation to the contrary.

What is claimed is:
 1. A robotic system comprising: a first instrumentcomprising a first elongate member and a first splayer coupled to aproximal end of the first elongate member, the first splayer beingpositioned along a first axis; a manipulator defining a feed axis alongwhich the first elongate member is insertable into and retractable froma patient, wherein the manipulator comprises a drive mechanismconfigured to hold and propel the first elongate member; wherein thefirst splayer and the manipulator are positioned relative to each otherat a distance less than an insertable length of the first elongatemember such that the first elongate member follows a first non-linearpath between the first splayer and the manipulator, and wherein thefirst axis and the feed axis are non-coaxial.
 2. The robotic system ofclaim 1, wherein the manipulator may be repositioned relative to thefirst splayer.
 3. The robotic system of claim 1, further comprising aninstrument driver operatively coupled to the first instrument through amechanical interface on the first splayer.
 4. The robotic system ofclaim 1, further comprising a second instrument comprising a secondelongate member and a second splayer coupled to a proximal end of thesecond elongate member, the second elongate member being disposed withinthe first elongate member.
 5. The robotic system of claim 4, wherein thesecond splayer is configured to articulate the distal end of the secondelongate member.
 6. The robotic system of claim 4, wherein the first andsecond instruments are independently operable so to move the secondelongate member independent of the first elongate member.
 7. The roboticsystem of claim 4, wherein the first splayer and second splayer aremovable such that the first and second elongate members may be axiallytranslated relative to each other.
 8. The robotic system of claim 4,wherein the second splayer is positioned on a movable carriage, thecarriage being movable relative to the first splayer.
 9. The roboticsystem of claim 4, wherein the first splayer and the second splayer arepositioned relative to each other at a distance less than an insertablelength of the second elongate member.
 10. The robotic system of claim 4,wherein the second elongate member follows a second non-linear pathbetween the first splayer and the second splayer, and wherein the secondsplayer is positioned along a second axis that is non-coaxial with thefirst axis.
 11. A method comprising: providing a robotic systemcomprising a first instrument comprising a first elongate member and afirst splayer coupled to a proximal end of the first elongate member,the first splayer being positioned along a first axis, and a manipulatordefining a feed axis along which the first elongate member is insertableinto and retractable from a patient, wherein the first splayer and themanipulator are positioned relative to each other at a distance lessthan an insertable length of the first elongate member such that thefirst elongate member follows a first significantly curved, non-linearpath between the first splayer and the manipulator that extends beyondthe instrument driver, and wherein the first axis and the feed axis arenon-coaxial; and translating the first splayer in the direction of themanipulator along the first path such that the first elongate member isadvanced into the patient along the feed axis.
 12. The method of claim11, further comprising repositioning the manipulator relative to thefirst splayer.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the manipulatorcomprises a drive mechanism configured to hold and propel the firstelongate member.
 14. The method of claim 11, further comprisingarticulating the distal end of the first elongate member in response toactuation from an instrument driver operatively coupled to the firstinstrument through a mechanical interface on the first splayer.
 15. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the robotic system further comprises asecond instrument comprising a second elongate member and a secondsplayer coupled to a proximal end of the second elongate member, thesecond elongate member being disposed within the first elongate member.16. The method of claim 15, further comprising articulating the distalend of the second elongate member.
 17. The method of claim 15, whereinthe first and second instruments are independently operable so to movethe second elongate member independent of the first elongate member. 18.The robotic system of claim 15, further comprising moving the firstsplayer and second splayer such that the first and second elongatemembers are axially translated relative to each other.
 19. The roboticsystem of claim 15, wherein the first splayer and the second splayer arepositioned relative to each other at a distance less than an insertablelength of the second elongate member.
 20. The robotic system of claim15, further comprising: translating the second elongate member along anon-linear path between the first splayer and the second splayer,wherein the second splayer is positioned along a second axis that isnon-coaxial with the first axis.